Indianapolis Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Indianapolis

While Indianapolis has long been known to racing fans who flock to this capital city every May for the Indianapolis 500, the city now boasts of several new attractions of more interest to families. Downtown Indianapolis surrounds the majestic Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, a 284-ft. Spire crowned by the 30-ft. Bronze statue Victory, popularly known as Miss Indiana. Situated around Monument Circle are entertainment centers, museums, and several new sports stadiums and hotels, to keep up with such events as the Pan-American games and Olympic trials.

The new Circle Centre shopping and entertainment complex opened in 1995 and draws visitors from around the region. Connected to the Circle Centre and several downtown hotels is the Indianapolis Arts garden. The eight-story glass rotunda, lit by tiny lights and suspended in mid-air over the busy Washington and Illinois intersection, is a performance and exhibition space for all of Indiana. Indianapolis has undergone an amazing renaissance. In recent years, the downtown landmarks have all been transformed into new shopping and entertainment centers that have maintained their architectural integrity.

Indianapolis also features a number of excellent museums, including one of the best children's museums in the country. The Indianapolis Children's Museum is 5 stories of educational, hands-on learning and fun for the whole family! After you take a ride on the old-fashioned merry-go-round, stop by "Passport to the World" to learn about different cultures from people in their native dress.

When you are ready to "climb the walls", head for the towering rock climbing wall, complete with all the repelling gear you'll need to make it to the top! There's even a planetarium and the famous IMAX theater for added educational enjoyment.

Surrounded by sculpture, botanical gardens, and a lake, the Indianapolis Museum of Art has art treasures from all time periods. In contrast, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is dedicated entirely to native arts and buildings. The new Indianapolis Zoo features hundreds of plants and animals in a lovely natural setting just outside town.

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Population: 295.734.100
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Currency: US dollar
Currency code: USD
Local Times:
U.S.A. - District of Columbia - Washington DC

U.S.A. - Florida - Orlando

U.S.A. - California - San Francisco

U.S.A. - New York - New York

U.S.A. - Nevada - Las Vegas

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

America was 'discovered' by Columbus in 1492 and for 500 years people have travelled here seeking a better life in the 'land of opportunity'. The land was fought over by colonial powers for centuries and finally won its independence from Britain in 1783. Despite the near annihilation of the Native American population, one of the bloodiest civil wars the world had seen, and racism (Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924 and racial segregation was the norm until as late as the 1950s), the American people have succeeded in forging one of the worlds most united, democratic and tolerant nations, a fascinating melting-pot of cultures, and the undisputed military and economic heavyweight of the world.

The country is made up of 48 contiguous states of the continental USA, plus the huge state of Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the volcanic islands of Hawaii, 2,000 miles (3,219km) out into the Pacific. There are also the US territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and US Virgin Islands. Tourism is focused mainly in the great cities such as New York and Washington, as well as sunshine states such as Florida, California and Hawaii. However the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the wealth of magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Adirondacks, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are what make the USA so unique. With all this on their doorstep, it's easy to understand why a significant proportion of Americans have never bothered getting a passport.

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